Kitchen appliance assembly and method of converting a kitchen having one of a slide-in and drop-in appliance to a kitchen having built-in appliances

ABSTRACT

There is provided a method of converting a kitchen having one of the slide-in and the drop-in appliance electrically coupled to a range receptacle, to a kitchen having built-in appliances. The method includes removing the one of the slide-in and the drop-in appliance from the range receptacle. The method includes installing at least two kitchen appliances into at least one of preexisting countertops and cabinetry of the kitchen. Each of the kitchen appliances includes a range plug. The method includes providing a power strip apparatus comprising a range plug and a power strip having a plurality of range sockets electrically coupled to the range plug of the power strip apparatus. The method includes inserting the range plug of the power strip apparatus into the range receptacle and inserting the range plugs of the kitchen appliances into respective ones of the range sockets of the power strip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

There is provided a kitchen appliance assembly. In particular, there isprovided a kitchen appliance assembly, as well as a method of convertinga kitchen having one of a slide-in and drop-in appliance to a kitchenhaving built-in appliances.

Description of the Related Art

The traditional kitchen range receptacle was designed to connect asingle kitchen appliance to a high energy circuit. Traditional kitchenappliances are usually moveable appliances known as slide-in or drop-inappliances which plug into a 220-240 volt outlet via a range receptacle.

Built-in kitchen appliances are desirable because they may allow forgreater design flexibility, increased user-friendliness andfunctionality. However, built-in kitchen appliances may require doublewiring to the circuit breaker box of the building, with a separate wire,circuit breaker and range receptacle for each built-in appliance, and insome cases may require an upgrade of the circuit breaker box to acceptadditional circuits. Also, quite often the main breaker box is located agreat distance from the existing kitchen wiring. The conversion may thusrequire costly alterations to the building structure to access andconvert the wiring to power built-in appliances. Such a renovation canthus be expensive due to increased electrician costs and increased laborcosts associated with removing extensive amounts of wall and thereafterrepairing the same. There are also permit, drawing, and relatedgovernment fees.

There may accordingly be a need for a more cost-effective method ofconverting a kitchen having one of a slide-in and drop-in appliance to akitchen having built-in appliances.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to one aspect, there is provided a method of converting akitchen having one of a slide-in and drop-in appliance electricallycoupled to a range receptacle, to a kitchen having built-in appliances.The method includes removing the one of the slide-in and the drop-inappliance from the range receptacle. The method includes installing atleast two kitchen appliances into at least one of preexistingcountertops and cabinetry of the kitchen. Each of the kitchen appliancesincludes a range plug. The method includes providing a power stripapparatus comprising a range plug and a power strip having a pluralityof range sockets electrically coupled to the range plug of the powerstrip apparatus. The method includes inserting the range plug of thepower strip apparatus into the range receptacle and inserting the rangeplugs of the kitchen appliances into respective ones of the rangesockets of the power strip.

According to another aspect, there is provided a kitchen applianceassembly. The assembly includes cabinetry and countertops. The assemblyincludes at least two kitchen appliances built in to at least one of thecabinetry and the countertop. Each of the kitchen appliances includes arange plug. The assembly includes a range receptacle electricallycoupled to an electrical power supply. The assembly includes a powerstrip apparatus. The power strip includes a range plug and a powerstrip. The power strip includes a plurality of range socketselectrically coupled to the range plug of the power strip apparatus. Therange plug of the power strip apparatus is inserted within a rangereceptacle and the range plugs of the kitchen appliances are insertedinto the range sockets.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a power stripapparatus. The apparatus includes a flexible electrical cable having aproximal end and a distal end. The apparatus includes a range plugelectrically connected to the distal end of the electrical cable. Theapparatus includes a hollow housing coupled to the proximal end of theelectrical cable. The apparatus includes three electrical socketsmounted to the housing. The sockets electrically connect together inseries with the range plug. A first said socket and a second said socketalign with each other. A third said socket is between and offset atleast in part from the first said socket and the second said socket.This may promote a compact design on the one hand, while still complyingwith safety electrical standards.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a power stripapparatus. The apparatus includes a flexible electrical cable having aproximal end and a distal end. The apparatus includes a range plugelectrically connected to the distal end of the electrical cable. Theapparatus includes a hollow housing coupled to the proximal end of theelectrical cable. The apparatus includes a plurality of electricalsockets mounted to the housing. The sockets electrically connecttogether in series with the range plug. The apparatus includes a metal,flexible cable protector within which the cable extends. The cableprotector extends between and couples to the housing and the range plug.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood from the followingdescription of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a building with a kitchenappliance assembly according to the prior art, the building being shownpartially in fragment and the kitchen appliance assembly including oneof a slide-in and drop-in appliance in the form of a slide-in electricrange;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the building of FIG. 1 with akitchen appliance assembly according to a first aspect, the buildingbeing shown partially in fragment and the kitchen appliance assemblyincluding two built-in kitchen appliances in the form of a built-incooktop and a built-in oven spaced-apart from the cooktop;

FIG. 3 is a front, top perspective view of the cooktop of the kitchenappliance assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front, top perspective view of the oven of the kitchenappliance assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary front perspective view of thebuilding of FIG. 2, with part of the cabinetry being removed to reveal arange receptacle, a range plug of the cooktop of FIG. 3, a range plug ofthe oven of FIG. 4, and a power strip apparatus of the kitchen applianceassembly of FIG. 2, the power strip apparatus including a power stripshown mounted to the wall of the building, the range plugs of thecooktop and oven being shown inserted into sockets of the power stripand a range plug of the power strip apparatus being shown inserted intothe range receptacle;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the power strip of FIG. 5, thepower strip apparatus including a housing, with a removable coverthereof shown coupled to the housing;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the power strip apparatus of FIG.6, the power strip apparatus being shown in fragment with the cover ofthe housing being shown partially removed to reveal the interior of thehousing;

FIG. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of the power strip apparatus ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation of the kitchen appliance assemblyof FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a building with a kitchenappliance assembly according to a second aspect, the building beingshown in fragment and the kitchen appliance assembly including twobuilt-in kitchen appliances in the form of a built-in cooktop and abuilt-in oven aligned with the cooktop;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, front perspective view of thebuilding of FIG. 10, with the built-in oven being removed to reveal apower strip apparatus of the kitchen appliance assembly, the apparatusincluding a power strip shown mounted to the wall of the building behindthe location of the built-in oven, with the range plug of the cooktopbeing shown inserted into a socket of the power strip and a range plugof the power strip apparatus being shown inserted into the rangereceptacle of the building.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, there is shown a building20. The building includes a floor 22 and a wall 24 coupled to andextending upwards from the floor.

The building 20 includes a kitchen appliance assembly 26 according tothe known prior art. The kitchen appliance assembly includes a vent 28with cabinetry 30 adjacent thereto. The kitchen appliance assembly 26further includes in this example a column of cabinetry 31 comprisingupper cabinets 32 and 34 and a lower drawers 36, 38 and 40. The kitchenappliance assembly includes a countertop 42 positioned adjacent todrawer 36 in this example.

The kitchen appliance assembly includes a range receptacle 44 mounted tothe wall 24 of the building 20 via a mounting plate 46. The rangereceptacle is a standard 14/50 receptacle in this example.

The kitchen appliance assembly 26 includes one of a slide-in and drop-inappliance, in this example a slide-in electric range 48. The rangeincludes an oven 50 and a stovetop 52 combined as one unit and may thusbe referred to as a combination oven and cooktop. The range includes aflexible electrical cable 54 and a range plug 56 coupled to the cable.The range plug of the range is shaped to be inserted into the rangereceptacle 44. The range 48 may thereafter slide into place, as shown byarrows of numeral 58, such that the range abuts wall 24, is positionedadjacent to countertop 42 and below vent 28 in this example. Drop-in andslide-in electric ranges, including their various parts and functions,are known to those skilled in the art and therefor range 48 will not bedescribed in further detail.

FIGS. 2 to 9 show a kitchen appliance assembly 26.1 for building 20which has been converted from a kitchen appliance assembly 26 configuredto receive one of a slide-in and drop-in appliance seen in FIG. 1 to akitchen appliance assembly 26.1 having two or more built-inenergy-efficient kitchen appliances integrally built in to at least oneof the cabinetry and the countertop. Like parts have like numbers andfunctions as the kitchen appliance assembly 26 shown in FIG. 1 with theaddition of decimal extension “0.1”. Kitchen appliance assembly 26.1 isthe same as described for kitchen appliance assembly 26 shown in FIG. 1with the following exceptions.

As seen in FIG. 5, the kitchen appliance assembly 26.1 includes a powerstrip apparatus 96. The power strip apparatus includes a power strip 97.The power strip in this example is configured to comply with commercialcooking appliances standards CSA C22.2 No. 109 (R2013) and UL 197. Thepower strip apparatus includes a flexible electrical cable 98 having aproximal end 100 and a distal end 102. The power strip apparatus 96includes a metal, flexible cable protector 111 within which the cableextends. The cable protector has a proximal end 113 and a distal end115. As seen in FIG. 7, the power strip apparatus 96 includes a plug fora range receptacle, in this example a range plug 104 electricallyconnected to the distal end 102 of the electrical cable 98. The cableprotector 111 couples to the housing 117 of the range plug via its end115. The cable protector is mounted to the wall 22.1 of the building 20via fasteners, in this example u-shaped cable fasteners 105, 107 and109.

As shown in FIG. 5, the range plug 104 of the power strip apparatus 96is insertable into the range receptacle 44.1. The range receptacle iselectrically coupled to an electrical power supply (not shown) via cable49. As seen in FIG. 9, the building 20 includes an in-line and in thisexample central circuit breaker 206 electrically coupled to the cable 49and located between the range receptacle 44.1 and the power supply.

The power strip 97 includes a hollow housing 106 in this example made ofmetal plate. The housing is a hollow rectangular prism in shape in thisexample. The housing 106 has a front 108 seen in FIG. 6, a rear 110 seenin FIG. 7, a pair of spaced-apart ends 112 and 114 seen in FIG. 6, and apair of spaced-apart sides 116 and 118 seen in FIG. 6 that extendbetween said ends thereof. The front and rear of the housing arerectangular and extend between the ends and the sides of the housing.The front 108 and the rear 110 of the housing 106 are similar in sizeand larger than the sides 116 and 118 and the ends 112 and 114 of thehousing in this example.

As seen in FIG. 6, the proximal end 113 of the cable protector 111couples to and extends from side 116 of the housing 106 via a hosecoupling member 125 at a location adjacent to end 114 in this example.As seen in FIG. 7, the cable protector extends from the housing adjacentto the rear 110 of the housing in this example.

The housing 106 includes a removable cover 120 aligned with the front108 thereof and which is selectively removable to reveal the interior122 of the housing of the power strip 97. The cover is shaped to extendabout the open top 119 of the housing. The cover 120 includes a planarmember in this example a rectangular plate 121 which aligns with thefront 108 of the housing 106 when the cover is fitted in place as seenin FIG. 6. The cover includes a peripheral portion 123 which couples toand extends outwards from plate 121. The peripheral portion of the coverextends about and abuts the sides 116 and 118 and the ends 114 and 116of the housing when the cover is positioned in place.

As seen in FIG. 6, the power strip apparatus 96 includes a plurality offasteners, in this example metal screws 151, 153, 155 and 157 whichselectively extend through the peripheral portion 123 of the cover andat least one of the sides and the ends of the housing. In this example,the fasteners extend through the peripheral portion of the cover andinto the ends 112 and 114 of the housing 106 at locations adjacent tothe sides 116 and 118 of housing. The fasteners 151, 153, 155 and 157securely couple the cover to the sides and the ends of the housingthereby.

As seen in FIG. 7, the power strip apparatus 96 includes a pair ofmounting members, in this example in the form of mounting plates 124 and126 which extend along the rear 110 of the housing of the power strip97. Mounting plate 124 couples to and extends outwards from side 116 ofthe housing 106 in this example. Cable protector 111 couples to thehousing 106 adjacent to mounting plate 124 in this example. Mountingplate 126 couples to and extends from side 118 of the housing in thisexample. Each mounting plate has at least one aperture extendingtherethrough. This is seen in FIG. 7 by fastener apertures 127 and 128extending through mounting plates 124 and 126. As seen in FIG. 5, thepower strip 97 is connectable to wall 22.1 via fasteners 129 whichextend through the fastener apertures of the mounting plates in thisexample.

Referring to FIG. 6, the power strip 97 includes a plurality ofelectrical range sockets, in this example three range sockets 130, 132and 134 electrically coupled to the range plug 104. However, this numberof sockets is not strictly required and there may be as few as two, ormore than three in other embodiments. The electrical sockets mount toand partially extend through circular apertures 131 of the planar member121 of the cover 120 in this example. The cover 120 may thus be referredto as a removable front to which the electrical sockets 130, 132 and 134are mounted.

As seen in FIG. 6, socket 130 is adjacent to end 112 of the housing 106and is adjacent to side 116 of the housing in this example. Socket 134is adjacent to end 112 of the housing and is adjacent to side 118 of thehousing in this example. Sockets 130 and 134 align with each other inthis example, and socket 132 is between and offset at least in part fromsockets 130 and 134 in this example. Sockets 130, 132, and 134 havefirst half portions 194, 196 and 198, respectively, and second halfportions 200, 202 and 204, respectively. In this case, the first halfportion 196 of socket 132 aligns with both the second half portion 200of socket 130 and the second half portion 204 of socket 134. Socket 132is adjacent to end 114 of the housing 106 and is between the sides 116and 118 of the housing. Socket 132 in this example is halfway betweenthe sides 116 and 118 of the housing.

Referring to FIG. 6, each of the electrical sockets has across-sectional diameter, as shown by diameter D for socket 134.Adjacent ones of the sockets, namely sockets 130 and 132, and sockets132 and 134, are spaced from each other by a distance L which is equalto or greater than one half of said diameter D in this example.

The width W of the housing 106 extending between ends 112 and 114 ispreferably in the range of equal to or greater than two times saiddiameter D and equal to or less than three times said diameter D, inthis example. More preferably, the width W of the housing 106 isgenerally equal to two times said diameter according to one embodiment.

The length L of the housing extending between sides 116 and 118 ispreferably equal to greater than four times said diameter for a housinghaving three sockets 130, 132 and 134. The length of the housing isgenerally equal to about five times said diameter in this example.

Referring to FIG. 7, the thickness T of the housing 106 extendingbetween the front 108 and rear 110 of the housing is in the range ofequal to or greater than said diameter D and equal to or less than twotimes said diameter D, in this example.

As seen in FIG. 8, range plug 104 and sockets 130, 132 and 134 includefirst electrical terminals, in this example ground terminals 135, 136,138 and 140 coupled to ground 142 and 143 via conduits, in this examplewires 144 and 146, and 148 and 150, respectively. The range plug 104 andsockets 130, 132 and 134 include second electrical terminals 152, 154,156 and 158 coupled together in series via conduits, in this examplewires 160, 162 and 164, respectively. The range plug 104 and sockets130, 132 and 134 include third electrical terminals 166, 168, 170 and172 coupled together in series via conduits, in this example wires 174,176 and 178, respectively. The range plug 104 and sockets 130, 132 and134 include fourth electrical terminals 180, 182, 184 and 186,respectively, coupled together in series via conduits, in this examplewires 188, 190 and 192, respectively.

As seen in FIG. 2, the kitchen appliance assembly 26.1 includes aplurality of built-in kitchen appliances, in this example including afirst energy-efficient kitchen appliance in the form of anenergy-efficient cooktop N integrally built into countertop 42.1. Thekitchen appliance assembly 26.1 further includes an additional cabinetrybelow the cooktop in the form of lower drawers 62 and 64. The cooktop Nand lower drawers replace range 48 seen in FIG. 1.

As seen in FIG. 3, the cooktop includes a plurality of heating elements66 for cooking items enclosed within pots (not shown) for example. Eachof the heating elements provides a maximum temperature thereon inoperation, with a given temperature of the heating elements being shownas T_(N) in FIG. 9. Referring back to FIG. 3, the cooktop N includesactuator buttons 68 operatively connected to the heating elements. Theactuator buttons selectively turn the heating elements on or off andadjusting the amount of heat emitted from the heating elements. Thebuilt-in cooktop to this stage is conventional, with its parts andfunctionings being known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 9, the cooktop draws a given current amperage I_(N)and has a current rating I_(MAX1), which is equal to a maximum thresholdamount of current drawn to be drawn by the cooktop. The amperage rangeis from 0.5 amps to 29 amps with use of a short-timed boost cycle,special heat lift up, according to one example.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cooktop N further includes a safety mechanism70 and electrical circuitry 72. As seen in FIG. 9, the safety mechanism70 includes a thermostat 76 in this example operatively connected to theheating elements 66 of the cooktop seen in FIG. 3. Referring back toFIG. 9, the thermostat is configured to automatically regulate thetemperature of the heating elements T_(N), with the thermostatperiodically powering down the heating elements, as seen by box 77 inFIG. 9, and automatically-resetting upon detecting a maximum temperatureof the heating elements of T_(MAX1).

Referring to FIG. 3, two of the heating elements of the cooktop may becontrolled by a relay, triac and thermostat, and the other two of theheating elements may be controlled by a relay and thermostat in thisexample. According to another aspect, if the inner housing temperatureof the cooktop N is above a set threshold, such as 200 degrees Celsius,then thermostat is configured to automatically switch off to protect thecooktop. After the inside of the cooktop has cooled down, the thermostatis configured to enable the cooktop to operate once more.

As seen in FIG. 9, the safety mechanism further includes at least one ofan internal fuse and a circuit breaker for each heating element 66, inthis example shown by internal fuse 74. If the thermostat is broken andthe cooktop N is overheating, the fuse functions to shut off the powersupply to the given heating element of the cooktop. The fuse may beconfigured such that it melts upon the current drawn through theelectrical circuitry of the cooktop reaching a maximum threshold, withthe current level at which the fuse melts being I_(MAX1). The overtop Nis powered down upon the fuse 74 melting, as shown by box 77 in FIG. 9.

As seen in FIG. 3, the cooktop N includes a plug for a range receptacle,in this example a range plug 78 electrically connected to the electricalcircuitry 72 thereof. As seen in FIG. 5, any of the sockets, and in thisexample socket 132 of the power strip 97 is shaped to receive range plug78 of cooktop N seen in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 2, the plurality of built-in, energy-efficient kitchenappliances of kitchen appliance assembly 26.1 includes a secondenergy-efficient kitchen appliance, in this example an energy-efficientoven N+1. The oven is positioned at a location spaced-apart from thecooktop N in this example. The oven N+1 in this example is integrallyinstalled within or built into the column of cabinetry 31, with the oventaking the place of cabinet 34 and drawer 36 of the kitchen applianceassembly 26 seen in FIG. 1.

As seen in FIG. 4, the oven N+1 includes an enclosed heating element 80that is selectively accessible via a hinge oven door 82. The oven N+1includes actuator buttons 84 operatively connected to the heatingelement. The actuator buttons selectively turn the heating element on oroff and adjusting the amount of heat emitted from the heating element.The built-in oven to this stage is conventional, with its parts andfunctionings being known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 9, the oven N+1 draws a given current amperage I_(N+1)and has a current rating I_(MAX2), which is equal to a maximum thresholdamount of current drawn to be drawn by the oven. The amperage range ofthe oven may be 5 amps to 10.5 amps according to one example.

Referring to FIG. 4, the oven N+1 further includes electrical circuitry86 and, as seen in FIG. 9, a safety mechanism 88. The safety mechanism88 of the oven includes a thermostat 92 in this example operativelyconnected to the heating element 80 of the oven seen in FIG. 4.Referring back to FIG. 9, the thermostat is configured to automaticallyregulate the temperature T_(N+1) of the heating element, with thethermostat periodically powering down the heating element, as seen bybox 93 in FIG. 9, and automatically-resetting upon detecting a maximumtemperature of the heating elements of T_(MAX2). After the oven hascooled down, the thermostat 92 enables the oven to operate once more.

Referring to FIG. 9, the safety mechanism further includes one of aninternal fuse and circuit breaker, in this example internal thermal fuse90. If the thermostat 92 is broken and the oven is overheating, the fusefunctions to shut off the power supply to the oven. The fuse isconfigured such that it melts upon the current drawn through theelectrical circuitry of the oven N+1 reaching a maximum threshold, withthe current level at which the fuse melts being I_(MAX2). The oven ispowered down upon the fuse 90 melting, as shown by box 93 in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 4, the oven N+1 includes a plug for a rangereceptacle, in this example a range plug 94 electrically connected tothe electrical circuitry 86 thereof. As seen in FIG. 5, any of thesockets, and in this example socket 134 is shaped to receiving rangeplug 94 of oven N+1 seen in FIG. 4.

As seen in FIG. 9, the plurality of built-in, energy-efficient kitchenappliances of kitchen appliance assembly 26.1 may include additionalenergy-efficient kitchen appliances, in this example shown by built-inappliance N+2. The appliance includes a safety mechanism 87 in the formof a thermostat 89 in this example operatively connected to the heatingelement of the appliance. The thermostat is configured to automaticallyregulate the temperature T_(N+2) of the heating element, with thethermostat periodically powering down the heating element, as seen bybox 95 in FIG. 9, and automatically-resetting upon detecting a maximumtemperature of the heating elements of T_(MAX3). After the appliance N+2has cooled down, the thermostat 89 enables the oven to operate oncemore.

The appliance draws a given current amperage I_(N+2) and has a currentrating I_(MAX3), which is equal to a maximum threshold amount of currentdrawn to be drawn by the oven. The appliance N+2 further includes aninternal breaker or fuse, in this example fuse 89 which melts upon thecurrent I_(N+2) drawn through the appliance reaching a maximumthreshold, with the current level at which the fuse melts beingI_(MAX3). The appliance is powered down upon the fuse 89 melting, asshown by box 95 in FIG. 9.

In operation and referring to FIG. 9, electrical power is supplied tothe heating elements of the cooktop N, oven N+1 and appliance N+2 toperforming cooking tasks and the like. The fuses 74, 90 and 89 of thesafety mechanisms 70, 88 and 87 of the built-in appliances determinewhether the current amperage I_(N), I_(N+1) and I_(N+2) drawn from theappliances is larger than the maximum current rating I_(MAX1), I_(MAX2)and I_(MAX3) of the fuses, respectively. If so, respective ones of thefuses melt and said respective one of the appliances N, N+1 and N+2 ispowered down as shown by boxes of numerals 77, 93 and 95.

If the current levels are determined to be below the above mentionedmaximum thresholds, each of the safety mechanisms 70, 88 and 87 may alsoemploy thermostats 76, 92 and 89 which automatically power down therespective heating elements of the appliances, as shown by boxes ofnumerals 77, 93 and 95, upon the temperatures T_(N), T_(N+1) and T_(N+2)thereof reaching maximum threshold temperatures T_(MAX1). T_(MAX2) andT_(MAX3). This temperature threshold may be configured to vary from oneappliance to another.

If the detected temperatures on the heating elements of the cooktop N,oven N+1 and appliance N+2 are below the pre-set thresholds, as a thirdlevel of safety, the built-in kitchen appliances of kitchen applianceassembly 26.1 are selected such that the collective current amperagethereof is equal to or less than that of a maximum collective amperagethreshold, which in this example is equal to that of the current ratingI_(F) of breaker 206. If the current detected from the sum of thecurrents I_(N)+I_(N+1)+I_(N+2) . . . etc. drawn from appliances N, N+1,N+2 etc. collectively is less than the current rating or amperage oramperage I_(F) of breaker 206, the cooktop N, oven N+1 and appliance N+2may continue to operate, as shown by box 208 in FIG. 9. If thecollective current drawn exceeds I_(F), the circuit breaker 206 tripscausing the appliances N, N+1, N+2 etc. to power drawn, as shown by box210.

Herein described therefor is a method of converting a kitchen having oneof a slide-in and drop-in appliance electrically coupled to a rangereceptacle, as shown by kitchen appliance assembly 26 in FIG. 1 havingslide-in electric range 48 connectable to range receptacle 44, to akitchen having built-in appliances, as shown by kitchen applianceassembly 26.1 seen in FIG. 2 with built-in cooktop N and oven N+1.

The method includes removing the slide-in electric range seen in FIG. 1from the range receptacle. As seen in FIG. 5, the method includesproviding power strip apparatus 96 which includes its power strip 97,range plug 104 and range sockets 130, 132 and 134 electrically coupledto its range plug. The method includes mounting the power strip 97 tothe wall 22.1 of the building. The method includes inserting the rangeplug 104 of the power strip into the range receptacle 44.1.

As seen in FIG. 2, the method includes integrally installing the cooktopN, oven N+1 and appliance N+2 within the cabinetry of the kitchenappliance assembly 26.1. Referring to FIG. 9, the method includesconfiguring the built-in appliances N, N+1 and N+2 such that maximumcollective power consumption thereof is equal to or less than that ofthe maximum threshold of power that the electrical circuit can provide.The method further includes selecting the kitchen appliances to bebuilt-in such that the collective current rating thereof is equal to orless than that one of an in-line circuit breaker or fuse, in thisexample breaker 206 seen in FIG. 9.

As seen in FIG. 5, the method includes inserting the range plugs 78 and94 of the cooktop N and oven N+1 seen in FIG. 2 into respective ones ofthe range sockets 132 and 134 of the power strip 97.

Referring to FIG. 9, the method includes providing each of the twokitchen appliances with safety mechanisms 70, 88 and 89. Each safetymechanism causes its respective one of the kitchen appliances toselectively depower upon a current-consumption threshold being reached.The method may further include incorporating thermostats 76, 92 and 89with the safety mechanisms 70, 88 and 87 as a second level of safety toselectively depower the appliances N, N+1 and N+2 upon maximum thresholdtemperatures of the heating elements of the appliances being reached.

The method may further include as a third level of safety incorporatingan in-line circuit breaker to collectively depower the appliances N, N+1and N+2 upon detecting that the collective current drawn therefromexceeds a maximum current rating of the breaker.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a kitchen appliance assembly 26.2 for building 20which has been converted from a kitchen appliance assembly 26 having oneof a slide-in and drop-in appliance to a kitchen appliance assembly 26.2having two or more built-in kitchen appliances integrally built in to atleast one of the cabinetry and the countertop. Like parts have likenumbers and functions as the kitchen appliance assembly 26.1 shown inFIGS. 2 to 9 with decimal extension “0.2” replacing decimal extension“0.1” and being added for parts not previously having decimalextensions.

Kitchen appliance assembly 26.2 is the same as described for kitchenappliance assembly 26.1 shown in FIGS. 2 to 9 with the exception that itshows another possible configuration of the built-in appliances. In thisexample, cooktop N.2 is centrally located on countertop 42.2 and isaligned above built-in oven N+1.2. Power strip apparatus 96.2 seen inFIG. 11 is mounted within the extra spacing available when a conventioncombination oven and cooktop appliance, such as range 48 seen in FIG. 1,is removed and replaced with an energy efficient oven N, which tends tobe more compact.

Many advantages result from the structure of the present invention. Theassembly and method as herein described eliminates the need to trace andchange the existing wiring all the way back to the main panel, therebysaving a considerable amount of wiring which could be in the order of 50feet, for example. The power strip apparatus 96, 96.1 enables the userto convert existing wiring by connecting the power strip apparatus tothe existing range receptacle 44 of the traditional kitchen. This saveson construction materials to allow redesigns to be performed withoutcostly conversion of existing wiring. The assembly and method ofconversion may thus not require a custom installation, saves wiringcosts that would otherwise be required during a custom installation. Thepower strip apparatus 96, 96.1 may thus enable one to convert theexisting wiring of a traditional kitchen appliance assembly to accept upto three energy efficient built appliances into a 240 Vac, 50 A, 60 Hz,1 phase outlet that is already in place from the existing wiring.

The kitchen appliance assembly 26.1, 26.2 may thus comprise a low costsolution for the problem of converting existing a kitchen applianceassembly having a single traditional high-energy appliance to a kitchenappliance assembly with a plug and play design of built-in kitchenappliances.

The kitchen assemblies 26.1, 26.2 and related method of conversion asherein described facilitate replacement of existing traditionalappliances with upgraded, energy efficient modern appliances, therebyfunctioning to save further costs for the owner of the building. This isespecially prudent for kitchen spaces that have limited room so the newspace saving appliances can provide more working room to the existingkitchen footprint. The modern kitchen often requires two or three240/10-20 Amp appliances to be used. The power strip apparatus 96, 96.1,enables the user to readily connect up to three energy-saving, built-inappliances into the existing range receptacle connection. This providesan easy appliance converter for a seamless installation.

The power strip apparatus 96, 96.1 and associated method of conversionenables the redesign of kitchen layouts to be flexible and accepts themodern energy saving appliances in the existing blueprint. The powerstrip apparatus 96, 96.2 as herein described may be sold as an accessoryfor modern kitchen appliances, where the apparatus functions to convertthe traditional range receptacle connection while inhibiting costlyconversions associated with the existing wiring. The power stripapparatus enhances ease of installation for remodeling, upgrading or newinstallation in prewired buildings.

The kitchen assemblies 26.1, 26.2 as herein described function to removerodent-attracting cracks in the kitchen cabinetry that may exist inkitchens having slide-in or drop-in appliances. The kitchen assembliesas herein described may thus function to inhibit the presence ofrodents.

The assemblies 26.1 and 26.2 as herein described may enable the user toconfigure more appliance positions and variations with less work whilemeeting relevant electrical codes and safety standards. The assembliesand methods may also improve safety compared to pigtail methods ofcoupling together appliances, which may be illegal and void buildinginsurance.

The kitchen assemblies 26.1, 26.2 comprises three layers of safety: 1)each appliance incorporates a thermostat with an auto-reset feature uponthe appliance reaching a maximum temperature threshold; 2) eachappliance includes a thermal fuse should the thermostat fail or bebroken, with the fuse melting and cutting off power to the applianceupon the current drawn through the appliance reaching a maximum currentrating; and 3) the assemblies incorporate an in-line circuit breakerwhich shuts off power to all of the appliances upon the collectivecurrent being drawn exceeding a maximum collective current rating.

The need in the market for a built-in kitchen style is strong. Estheticsmay place a built-in kitchen as the most valuable. But today that valuemay be further needed because now that no DDT is allowed, the presenceof bugs, mice, and the like in one's kitchen may have increased fasterthan ever before. A slide-in or drop-in stove may facilitate thepresence of crumbs and the like—food for bugs and mice, which mayincrease an infestation. The world is demanding a cleaner home/kitchen.

The built-in kitchen assembly as herein described, and method ofinstallation thereof, may comprise a cost-effective solution that meetsthe above need and enables poison and/or traps to inhibit suchinfestations.

It will be appreciated that many variations are possible within thescope of the invention described herein. For example, instead of beingmounted to the wall, the power strip may be walled-in and positionedwithin the interior structure of the wall in other embodiments. In thiscase, the power strip may be mounted between the wall studs or on one ofthe wall studs, for example.

In a further variant, the power strip apparatus may comprise cable freeof a cable protector. It will be understood by someone skilled in theart that many of the details provided above are by way of example onlyand are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to bedetermined with reference to at least the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of converting a kitchen having one of aslide-in and drop-in appliance electrically coupled to a rangereceptacle, to a kitchen having built-in appliances, the methodcomprising: removing said one of the slide-in and the drop-in appliancefrom the range receptacle; installing at least two kitchen appliancesinto at least one of preexisting countertops and cabinetry of thekitchen, each of the kitchen appliances including a range plug;providing a power strip apparatus comprising a range plug and a powerstrip having a plurality of range sockets electrically coupled to therange plug of the power strip apparatus; inserting the range plug of thepower strip apparatus into the range receptacle, and inserting the rangeplugs of the kitchen appliances into respective ones of the rangesockets of the power strip.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, therange receptacle electrically connecting to household power via anelectrical circuit, and the method further including: configuring thekitchen appliances to be installed such that maximum combined amperagethereof is equal to or less than the amperage of that the electricalcircuit can provide.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, the rangereceptacle electrically connecting to one of an in-line circuit breakerand fuse, said one of the breaker and said fuse having a current rating,and wherein the method further comprises: selecting the kitchenappliances to be installed such that the collective amperage thereof isequal to or less than the current rating of said one of the breaker andthe fuse.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further including:providing each of said two kitchen appliances with a safety mechanism,each said safety mechanism causing its respective one of the kitchenappliances to selectively depower upon a threshold being reached.
 5. Themethod as claimed in claim 4, wherein the safety mechanism is one fromthe group consisting of: a thermostat, an internal fuse and a circuitbreaker.
 6. A power strip apparatus comprising: a flexible electricalcable having a proximal end and a distal end; a range plug electricallyconnected to the distal end of the electrical cable; a hollow housingcoupled to the proximal end of the electrical cable; and threeelectrical sockets mounted to the housing, wherein the socketselectrically connect together in series with the range plug, wherein afirst said socket and a second said socket align with each other andwherein a third said socket is between and offset at least in part fromthe first said socket and the second said socket.
 7. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the housing has a pair of spaced-apart sidesand a pair of spaced-apart ends that extend between said sides thereof,wherein the first said socket is adjacent to a first said end of thehousing and is adjacent to a first said side of the housing, wherein thesecond said socket is adjacent to the first said end of the housing andis adjacent to a second said side of the housing, and wherein the thirdsaid socket is adjacent to a second said end of the housing and isbetween the sides of the housing.
 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7wherein the third said socket is halfway between the sides of thehousing.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of thesockets has a first half portion and a second half portion and whereinthe first half portion of the third said socket aligns with both thesecond half portion of the first said socket and the second half portionof the second said socket.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6,wherein the range plug and each of the sockets includes a firstelectrical terminal, a second electrical terminal, a third electricalterminal and a fourth electrical terminal, the first electricalterminals electrically connecting together in series, the secondelectrical terminals electrically connecting together in series, thethird electrical terminals electrically connecting together in series,and the fourth electrical terminals electrically connecting together inseries.
 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of theelectrical sockets has a cross-sectional diameter and wherein adjacentones of the sockets are spaced from each other by a distance equal to orgreater than one half of said diameter.
 12. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 6 wherein the housing has a removable front to which theelectrical sockets are mounted.
 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6wherein each of the electrical sockets has a cross-sectional diameterand wherein the housing has a front and a rear, the front of the housingbeing spaced-apart from the rear of the housing by a distance in therange of equal to or greater than said diameter and equal to or lessthan two times said diameter.
 14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6wherein the housing has a pair of spaced-apart sides, a pair ofspaced-apart ends which extend between said sides, and an open topdefined by said ends and said sides, and wherein the housing includes aremovable cover shaped to extend about said top, the cover including aplanar member to which the electrical sockets mount and the coverincluding a peripheral portion which couples to and extends outwardsfrom the planar member of the lid, the peripheral portion of the coverextending about and abutting the sides and the ends of the housing. 15.The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 further including one or morefasteners which selectively extend through the peripheral portion of thecover and at least one of the sides and the ends of the housing, the oneor more fasteners coupling the cover to the sides and the ends of thehousing thereby.
 16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein thehousing is a hollow rectangular prism in shape and wherein the apparatusfurther includes a plurality of fasteners which selectively extendthrough the peripheral portion of the cover and into the ends of thehousing at locations adjacent to the sides of housing, the fastenerscoupling the cover to the sides and the ends of the housing thereby. 17.A power strip apparatus comprising: a flexible electrical cable having aproximal end and a distal end; a range plug electrically connected tothe distal end of the electrical cable; a hollow housing coupled to theproximal end of the electrical cable; a plurality of electrical socketsmounted to the housing, the sockets electrically connecting together inseries with the range plug; and a metal, flexible cable protector withinwhich the cable extends, the cable protector extending between andcoupling to the housing and the range plug.
 18. The apparatus as claimedin claim 17 wherein the housing has a front and a rear, the electricalsockets mounting to the front of the housing and the cable protectormounting to the housing adjacent to the rear of the housing.
 19. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the housing has a pair ofspaced-apart sides, the cable protector mounting to and extending fromone of said sides of the housing, and wherein the apparatus furtherincludes a pair of wall mounting plates coupled to and extendingoutwards from said sides of the housing.
 20. A kitchen applianceassembly including the power strip apparatus as claimed in claim 17, theassembly including: a wall to which the power strip apparatus ismounted; cabinetry and countertops; at least two kitchen appliancesbuilt in to at least one of the cabinetry and the countertop, each ofthe kitchen appliances including a range plug, the range plugs of thekitchen appliances being inserted into the range sockets of the powerstrip apparatus; and a range receptacle electrically coupled to anelectrical power supply, the range plug of the power strip apparatusbeing inserted within a range receptacle.